An investigation was launched against Nagehan Alçı, a columnist for HaberTürk news website, over her article titled “Justice Minister’s Reaction Against That Shameful Verdict” (O Utanç Verici Karara Adalet Bakanı’nın Tepkisi) and published on June 15, 2018. The investigation began after Hakan Yalçınkaya, the judge of the İstanbul 37th High Criminal Court, whose name was mentioned in the article, filed a criminal complaint on May 28, 2020.

The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office completed the indictment on July 6, 2020. 

The indictment lodged against Alçı claimed that the offense of “insult” had been “committed against a public official due to his duty.” Accordingly, the indictment demanded that the imprisonment of 3 months to 2 years foreseen for the offense charged be increased as per the Clause (a) of the Article 125/3 of the Turkish Criminal Code (TCK) and that Alçı be sentenced to 1 year to 2 years in prison.

The indictment lodged against HaberTürk columnist Nagehan Alçı has been accepted by the İstanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.

At the hearing held on December 3, 2020, plaintiff Hakan Yalçınkaya was present and submitted his request for involvement in the trial to the court. While Nagehan Alçı did not attend the hearing, her attorney indicated that the article in question should be considered within the scope of freedom of press and expression. The next hearing will be held on February 11 (December 3). 

At the hearing held on February 11, 2021, Nagehan Alçı’s attorneys stated that they would submit the written defense statement as to the accusations to court. The next hearing will be held on March 19, 2021 (February 11).

At the hearing held on March 10, 2021, the court board ruled that the file of the case where Habertürk columnist Nagehan Alçı was standing trial for “public insult with a voice, written or video message” over an article dated 2018 should be sent to the prosecutor’s office for the opinion as to the accusations. The next hearing will be held on March 31 (March 10).

At the hearing held on March 31, Nagehan Alçı was sentenced to pay a judicial fine of 7,080 Turkish Lira (TRY) on charge of “insulting a public official due to his or her duty” as per the Article 125/3 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) (March 31).